U.S. patent number 7,301,474 [Application Number 10/086,023] was granted by the patent office on 2007-11-27 for wireless communication system and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Thomas H. Zimmerman.
United States Patent |
7,301,474 |
Zimmerman |
November 27, 2007 |
Wireless communication system and method
Abstract
A wireless communication system for use in well, subsea, and
oilfield-related environments employs one or more wireless network
devices that offer short-range wireless communication between
devices without the need for a central network which may have a
device using a BLUETOOTH protocol. The system may be used for
telemetry, depth correlation, guidance systems, actuating tools,
among other uses. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided
to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a
searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of
the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding
that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning
of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
Inventors: |
Zimmerman; Thomas H. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Schlumberger Technology
Corporation (Sugar Land, TX)
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Family
ID: |
26774085 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/086,023 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2002 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20030098799 A1 |
May 29, 2003 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60333950 |
Nov 28, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/854.6;
340/853.8; 340/850 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V
11/002 (20130101); E21B 47/13 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
G01V
1/22 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/853.7,854.6,850,851,853.8,853.9 ;166/66,373,53,337,336 ;367/82
;73/152.54 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2353546 |
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Feb 2001 |
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GB |
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2369759 |
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May 2002 |
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GB |
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WO 01/63804 |
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Feb 2000 |
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WO |
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2001/63804 |
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Aug 2001 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Zimmerman; Brian
Assistant Examiner: Dang; Hung Q
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Trop, Pruner & Hu, P.C. McGoff;
Kevin B. Galloway; Bryan P.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/333,950, filed Nov. 28, 2001.
Claims
I claim:
1. A system comprising: a tool having a first wireless network
device, the tool movable in the well; at least a second wireless
network device in the well located at a predetermined position
therein; a depth correlation circuitry in the tool in communication
with the first wireless network device in the tool to detect a
signal from the first wireless network device for determining the
depth of the tool in the well, the signal from the first wireless
network device based on wireless communication between the first
and second wireless network devices; and a third wireless network
device in the well; wherein the signal is based on triangulation
among the first, second, and third wireless network devices.
2. A subsea telemetry system, comprising: a wireless network device
positioned proximal the sea floor; a subsea vehicle having a
wireless network device therein that is adapted to communicate with
the wireless network device positioned proximal the sea floor; and
a guidance circuitry of the subsea vehicle in communication with
the wireless network device of the subsea vehicle, the guidance
circuitry adapted to determine the relative position of the subsea
vehicle based upon input from the interconnected wireless network
device.
3. A system for use in a well, comprising: a tool containing a
first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during
a downhole operation; a second wireless network device for location
in the well, wherein the first wireless network device is outside a
wireless communication range of the second wireless network device
until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless
network device, the second wireless network device to transmit a
location code to the first wireless network device.
4. A system for use in a well, comprising: a tool containing a
first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during
a downhole operation; a second wireless network device for location
in the well, wherein the first wireless network device is outside a
wireless communication range of the second wireless network device
until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless
network device; and at least another wireless network device for
location in the well, the first wireless network device to perform
triangulation of signals to determine relative position of the tool
to the second wireless network device and the at least another
wireless network device.
5. A system for use in a well, comprising: a tool containing a
first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during
a downhole operation; a second wireless network device for location
in the well, wherein the first wireless network device is outside a
wireless communication range of the second wireless network device
until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless
network device, the second wireless network device to send an
actuating signal to the first wireless network device for actuating
the tool once the tool comes within range of the second wireless
network device.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a perforating
gun, and the actuating signal comprises a firing signal to fire the
perforating gun.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a valve
actuated by the actuating signal.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a release
mechanism that releases sensors from the tool in response to the
actuation signal.
9. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a sampler to
take a sample in response to the actuating signal.
10. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a recorder
that starts recording in response to the actuating signal.
11. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool includes a depth
correlation device to correlate a position of the tool based on
wireless communication between the first and second wireless
network devices.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of communication. More
specifically, the invention relates to a device and method for
communicating in a hydrocarbon or water well related application
such as downhole or at the wellhead or in a subsea or other
oilfield-related environment.
SUMMARY
In general, according to one embodiment, the present invention
provides a wireless communication system for use in well, subsea,
and oilfield-related environments. Other features and embodiments
will become apparent from the following description, the drawings,
and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The manner in which these objectives and other desirable
characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following
description and attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless network system in a
well.
FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless network device interconnected to a
power supply.
FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless network system
in a multilateral well.
FIG. 4 illustrates embodiment of a wireless network system in a
subsea field.
FIG. 5 illustrates embodiment of a wireless network system used in
conjuction with a well and a subsea vehicle.
FIG. 6 illustrates embodiment of a wireless network system in a
well.
FIG. 7 illustrates embodiment of a wireless network system in a
well.
FIG. 8 illustrates embodiment of a wireless network system in a
well.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate
only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to
be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, numerous details are set forth to
provide an understanding of the present invention. However, that
the present invention may be practiced without these details and
that numerous variations or modifications from the described
embodiments may be possible.
The present invention is directed to a wireless communications
device, e.g. cellular and/or BLUETOOTH (see www.bluetooth.com),
capable of communicating with like communication devices to
transfer data. Present telecommunication system technology includes
a wide variety of wireless communication systems associated with
both voice and data communications. One such system is named
BLUETOOTH after a 10.sup.th century Scandinavian king who united
several Danish kingdoms. This system operates in the 2.4 GHz band
and offers short-range wireless communication between BLUETOOTH
devices without the need for a central network.
The BLUETOOTH system provides a 1 Mb/sec data rate with low energy
consumption for battery-powered devices operating in the 2.4 GHz
ISM (industrial, scientific, medical) band. The current BLUETOOTH
system provides up to about a 100-meter range capability. The
BLUETOOTH protocol treats all radios as peer units identified by
unique 48-bit addresses. At the start of any connection, the
initiating unit is a temporary master. This temporary assignment,
however, may change after initial communications are established.
Each master may have active connections of up to seven slaves. Such
a connection between a master and one or more slaves forms a
"piconet." Link management allows communication between piconets,
thereby forming "scatternets."
The BLUETOOTH protocol uses time-division duplex (TDD) to support
bi-directional communication. Frequency hopping spread-spectrum
technology that accommodates frequency diversity permits operation
in noisy environments and permits multiple piconets to exist in
close proximity. This is so because frequency diversity is inherent
in frequency hopping, especially when it is wide, as in the case of
BLUETOOTH (spread over a band of about 80 MHz). The frequency
hopping transmission hops at a rate of about 1600 hops per second
over 791-MHz channels between 2402 MHz and 2480 MHz. Various
error-correcting schemes permit data packet protection by 1/3- and
2/3-rate forward error correction. Further, BLUETOOTH uses
retransmission of packets for guaranteed reception. These schemes
help correct data errors, but at the expense of throughput.
While BLUETOOTH is described herein as the primary protocol, it
should be understood that any other wireless communication
protocols, such as wireless LAN or wireless protocols operating in
a different frequency range, could be used for similar effect. For
the purpose of the present invention, the term "wireless network
devices" shall mean devices that offer short-range wireless
communication between devices without the need for a central
network, which may comprise devices using a BLUETOOTH protocol.
Similarly, the term "wireless network system" shall mean a system
incorporating wireless network devices.
Referring to FIG. 1, a well 10 extends into the earth. A conduit 12
positioned within the well 10 has a plurality of wireless network
devices 14 spaced along the conduit 12. The wireless network
devices 14 provide telemetry in the well 10 and communicate with an
interlink wireless device 16, such as BLUETOOTH device, positioned
proximal the surface of the well 10. The interlink wireless device
16, such as BLUETOOTH device, communicates with a controller
18.
The well telemetry provided by the wireless network devices 14 may
be used to communicate with devices in the well. Such a device is
shown schematically in FIG. 1 as device 20. The device 20 is
connected to a wireless network device 14 by a communication line
22. For example, the wireless network devices 14 may be used to
communicate with gauges, sensors, valves, sampling devices, a
device used in intelligent or smart well completion, temperature
sensors, pressure sensors, flow-control devices, flow rate
measurement devices, oil/water/gas ratio measurement devices, scale
detectors, actuators, locks, release mechanisms, equipment sensors
(e.g., vibration sensors), sand detection sensors, water detection
sensors, data recorders, viscosity sensors, density sensors, bubble
point sensors, composition sensors, resistivity array devices and
sensors, acoustic devices and sensors, other telemetry devices,
near infrared sensors, gamma ray detectors, H.sub.2S detectors,
CO.sub.2 detectors, downhole memory units, downhole controllers,
perforating devices, shape charges, firing heads, locators, and
other downhole devices.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wireless network device 14
communicating with a power source 24. The power source may be any
power source suitable for use downhole, such as a battery, a fuel
cell, a downhole power generator or a power communication line
extending to the surface.
FIG. 3 shows a multilateral well 30 having a lateral branch 32 and
a parent bore 34. The multilateral well 30 contains a completion
such as a multilateral junction 36 at the junction of the lateral
32 and the parent bore 34. Other multilateral completion schemes
are possible. The multilateral well 30 also has a wireless network
device 14 in the parent bore 34 and a wireless network device 14 in
the lateral 32. The wireless network devices 14 provide telemetry
between the lateral 32 and parent bore 34. Although shown in the
figure as connected to communication lines providing further
telemetry to other equipment in the well or to the surface, the
wireless network devices 14 may communicate via other wireless
network devices 14 or by other telemetry devices used in wells.
Further, the wireless network devices 14 could be incorporated into
a downhole tool or device eliminating the need for further
telemetry equipment.
FIG. 4 shows the use of wireless network devices 14 in multiple
wells and in the subsea and subsea field environment. In the
figure, a well 40 contains a plurality of wireless network devices
14 to provide wellbore telemetry therein. Another well 50 is a
multilateral well having two lateral branches 52. The wireless
network devices 14 in well 50 provide telemetry between the parent
bore and at least one of the laterals 52. The upper device 14
communicates with a downhole device 54 by way of the communication
line 56. The downhole device 54 may be a downhole controller, a
downhole processing device (e.g., an oil-water separator), a
downhole power supply (e.g., a fuel cell, a battery, or a power
generator), or the like. In the other shown multilateral well 60,
the wireless network devices 14 provide telemetry in the well,
including telemetry along the length of the lateral. In well 60,
the lateral 62 has a plurality of wireless network devices 14
therein.
The wellheads 70 or other near-surface portions of the wells may
include wireless network devices 14 to provide telemetry through
the wellhead or between the well and wireless network devices 14
separate from the well. For example, a wireless network device 14
in the wellhead may be connected to a communication line 72 (e.g.,
electric lines, fiber optic lines), such as an umbilical, extending
to a platform 74 or other offshore surface location. Information
from the well may then be relayed via satellite 76 to a land-based
location 78. Other forms of communication, such as common
telecommunications methods, a telephone system, the Internet, an
intranet, and other "secondary communication systems," may also be
used to send the information from the surface location to the end
user or end controller. Thus, a secondary communication system may
be used to provide communication between a wireless network device
and a land-based location or an offshore surface location.
The wellheads or other subsea devices or structures may use
wireless network devices 14 to communicate with other subsea
devices or structures. For example, wireless network devices 14 may
be used to provide telemetry between a downhole structure (e.g.,
such as a wellhead 70, subsea processing or power generation
equipment) or a subsea monitor, and a subsea vehicle 80, such as a
ROV ("Remote Operated Vehicle") or AUV ("Autonomous Underwater
Vehicle").
Further, the wireless network devices 14 may be spaced about the
sea floor, which could include embedding the devices in the sea
floor, to provide subsea telemetry. Such a set of wireless network
devices 14 may also be used for subsea guidance, for example, for
an AUV. In one embodiment, the wireless network devices 14 are
spaced about the sea floor to form an array of devices 14.
FIG. 5 shows an AUV 80 proximal a well 82 having a wellhead 70. The
wellhead 70 and AUV 80 are equipped with wireless network devices
14 to provide for telemetry therebetween. In one embodiment, the
well 82 or wellhead 70 has a memory storage device (not shown) that
stores data collected from the well 82 or the surrounding
environment. When the AUV 80 approaches, the data from the storage
device is transmitted to the AUV 80 via the wireless network
devices 14, such as BLUETOOTH devices. In this way the data is
taken from the well to a surface location or other location (e.g.,
a relay station) via an AUV 80 for further transmission and
use.
FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment of the present invention in which
the wireless network devices 14 are used for depth correlation
and/or actuating instruction. A tool 92 containing a wireless
network device 14 communicates with a wireless network device 14
located in the well 90. One or more wireless network devices 14 are
placed in the well 90 at known locations. As the tool 92 approaches
the wireless network device 14 the wireless network device 14 in
the tool 92 detects the other device 14 mounted in the well. The
wireless network device 14 mounted in the well may be programmed
to, for example, transmit a location code that will be detected by
the device 14 in the tool when the devices 14 come within telemetry
range of one another. In another embodiment, the tool 92 simply
uses an identifier of the wireless network device 14 to correlate
the position of the tool 92 in the well. The tool 92 may
incorporate a depth correlation circuitry therein that communicates
with the tools wireless network device 14 and uses the information
detected therefrom to determine the depth of the tool 92. If a
plurality of devices 14 are positioned in the well 90, the tool 92
may use a triangulation of the signals to determine its position
relative to the devices 14. Further, the tool 92 may detect the
relative strength of the signal between the device 14 in the tool
92 and the device 14 in the well 90 to more closely determine its
position. The use of multiple spaced wireless network devices 14
may further increase the accuracy of the depth correlation. As
examples of the actuating signal, the device 14 mounted in the well
92 transmits a fire signal or a safety release signal as to a
perforating gun. Although the tool 92 is shown in FIG. 6 as a
perforating gun, the tool could be any downhole device. Also,
although characterized as a transmitted depth or actuating signal,
the actual signal could simply be an identifier or any other type
of signal that, when detected, is interpreted by the tool 92 as a
depth or actuating signal. Thus, the transmitted signal from the
wireless network device mounted in the well need not take any
specific form, although in some embodiments it may. The tool 92 may
have an actuating circuitry therein communicating with the wireless
network device 14 that actuates the tool 92 by way of an output
actuating signal that is based upon information received from the
interconnected wireless network device 14. As additional examples,
the tool 92 may be (1) a valve that is opened or closed in response
to an actuating command from the actuating circuitry, (2) a release
that releases in response to the command, or (3) a recorder that
begins recording in response to the signal.
FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment wherein a tool 92 is dropped
in a well 90. As the tool 92 comes within proximity of the wireless
network device 14 mounted in the well, the tool 92 is actuated. In
one embodiment, the tool 92 is a perforating gun that fires when
the signal from the wireless network device 14 mounted in the well
is received. In another embodiment, the tool 92 is a sampler that
takes a sample and subsequently alters its buoyancy to float to the
surface after receiving the signal from the wireless network device
14, such as BLUETOOTH device. In yet another exemplary embodiment,
the tool 92 is a sensor that take one or more readings and changes
buoyancy upon receipt of the signal. The sensor may include a
memory device. In another embodiment the tool 92 contains one or
more sensors that are released as the tool 92 passes a wireless
network device 14, such as BLUETOOTH device. The released sensors
may take one or more readings (which may be stored in a memory
device, including electronic or mechanical memory) and float to the
surface for collection and analysis. Note that the tool 92 adapted
to release buoyant sensors may be used without a wireless network
device 14 and may use some other actuating signal, such as a
pressure reading, a timer, a pressure pulse signal, or some other
sensor reading.
FIG. 8 illustrates how the wireless network devices 14 may be used
to communicate through tubing and through casing. Although both
types of communication are shown, it should be appreciated that
either through tubing or through casing communication may be used
in combination with or exclusive from the other. In the figure, a
well 100 is lined with a casing 102. As used herein, the casing 102
may include a liner or other device used to line the well,
including sand screens, expandable tubings, and other completion
equipment placed in an open hole. An array 104, such as a
resistivity array, is connected to the outside of the casing 102. A
wireless network device 14 communicates with the array 104.
Accordingly, data from the array 104 may be transmitted from the
interconnected wireless network device 14 to a wireless network
device 14 located within the casing. The data may be stored
downhole in a memory device connected to the array 104 until
collected by a tool 110, for example. In this way, the need to run
control lines from a device on the outside of the casing to the top
or bottom of the casing or to penetrate the casing is eliminated.
Although the device shown in the figure is an array, the wireless
network device 14 may be connected to any device mounted on the
outside of the casing or positioned outside of the casing.
FIG. 8 also shows a tubing 106 positioned in the well 100. Mounted
to the outside of the tubing 106 is a device 108, such as a sensor.
A wireless network device 14 is interconnected to the device 108
and may be used to transmit data from the device 108 to another
wireless network device 14 positioned within the tubing 108. As
shown in FIG. 8 as an example, a tool 110 containing a wireless
network device 14 may be lowered into the well 100 through the
tubing 106. Once the tool is positioned within range of the
wireless network device 14 connected to the outside of the tubing
106 and interconnected to the device 108, the data from the device
108 may be transferred from the device 108 or from a memory device
connected thereto to the tool 110. The tool 110 contains a memory
device for storing the data for use upon retrieval from the well.
Note that the wireless network device 14, such as BLUETOOTH device
mounted on the outside of the tubing 106 may be used to relay
information to and from the wireless network device 14, such as
BLUETOOTH device located on the outside of the casing 102.
This invention has been described in considerable detail in order
to provide the information needed to apply the novel principles and
to construct and use such specialized components as are required.
In view of the foregoing descriptions, it should be apparent that
the present invention represents a significant departure from the
prior art in construction and operation. However, while particular
embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in
detail, it is to be understood that various alterations,
modifications and substitutions can be made therein without
departing in any way from the scope of the present invention, as
defined in the claims that follow. Although the present invention
has been described in association with a BLUETOOTH communication
protocol, for example, the present invention can be implemented
using any suitable wireless communication protocol. Those skilled
in the art of wireless communication will appreciate that the
principles of the invention described and claimed herein also apply
to wireless communications throughout the world. Further, signal
processing methods of the present invention can be implemented in
hardware or software, or a combination of both. In one embodiment,
the functions of a wireless device (including a BLUETOOTH device),
designed in conformance with the principals set forth herein are
implemented as one or more integrated circuits using a suitable
processing technology, e.g., CMOS, HBT.
As another example, at least portions of the present invention may
be implemented in computer programs, i.e. algorithms, executing on
programmable baseband systems each comprising a data processor,
e.g. DSP, a data storage system, including both volatile and
non-volatile memory and/or data storage devices, at least one input
device, e.g. keyboard, A/D converter (part of GPS, "BLUETOOTH,"
Cell radio), and at least one output device, e.g. display, auditory
device, touch sensitive device, DI/A converter (BLUETOOTH). Program
code is applied to input data received via at least one antenna
(array) to perform the functions described herein and generate
output information. The output information is applied to one or
more output devices, in known fashion. Each such program may be
implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented
programming language to communicate with a baseband computer
system. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly or
machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a
compiled or interpreted language. Portions of the inventive
structure and method may also be considered to be implemented as a
computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer
program, where the storage medium so configured causes a data
processor to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform
the functions described herein. An example of one such type of data
processor is a digital signal processor (DSP).
Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have
been described in detail above, it will be readily appreciated that
many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments
without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as
defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function
clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as
performing the recited function and not only structural
equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail
and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail
employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together,
whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of
fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent
structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to
invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any
of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly
uses the words `means for` together with an associated
function.
* * * * *
References